The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) dates back to the Cold War era, a time dominated by geopolitical tensions post the Second World War. Signed in 1990 and fully ratified by 1992, the treaty marked a significant milestone in reducing arms buildup and easing tensions between NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and Warsaw Pact nations. However, a recent development has seen NATO announce the formal suspension of the CFE following Russia’s withdrawal from the deal.
Russia’s Stance and Withdrawal
Russia played an instrumental role in the formation and ratification of the CFE Treaty. However, it suspended its participation in 2007, expressing dissatisfaction with the US and its allies. In 2015, Russia declared its intention to withdraw, citing the allies’ “destructive position”. The Russian President’s denouncement of the treaty in May 2023 was a step towards formalizing the withdrawal.
Impact of the Ukraine Conflict
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 significantly influenced its decision to withdraw from the treaty. The conflict, resulting in a large Russian military presence in Ukraine, directly impacted NATO member states sharing borders with Ukraine such as Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary.
Concerns and Positions: Russia vs. NATO
Russia argues that the CFE is outdated and no longer beneficial as it did not restrict the use of advanced weaponry. It further claimed its security interests were compromised due to developments in Ukraine and NATO’s expansion. Meanwhile, NATO upheld its commitment to security, risk reduction, and preventing misperceptions, reiterating the need for the treaty amidst escalating Russia-NATO tension.
The Cold War Phenomenon
The Cold War, from 1945 to 1991, was a period characterized by geopolitical tension between the USSR and its satellite states, and the US with its Western European allies. The term “Cold War” is derived from the absence of large-scale active warfare between the two dominant blocs despite ideological differences.
Review: Other Cold War-Era NATO and USSR Treaties
Several treaties marked the Cold War era – The North Atlantic Treaty (1949) established NATO; The Warsaw Pact (1955) was a mutual defense alliance among Eastern Bloc countries; The Four Power Agreement on Berlin (1971) was aimed at easing tensions in Berlin; and The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987) eliminated an entire class of intermediate-range nuclear missiles from Europe.
The SALT and START Treaties
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and START Treaties were a series of bilateral international agreements between the US and the Soviet Union. These treaties aimed to limit the number of long-range ballistic missiles possessed and manufactured by both sides.
NATO: Formation and Purpose
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), formed in 1949, is a political and military alliance consisting of 31 member countries. It was established to promote mutual defense and collective security among its members. Key provisions include Article 5, stating that an attack on one member is perceived as an attack on all, though it does not extend to internal conflicts or civil wars within member nations.
Examination of NATO’s Alliances
NATO has established various alliances such as the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), Mediterranean Dialogue, and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI). These alliances denote NATO’s global strategic interests.